Callous approach

Sir — This refers to the article, “Separation of the separatistsIJ” (January 15) by Khursheed Wani. It may be true that the armed insurgency in 1989 set the stage for separatist politics and the All- Party Hurriyat Conference’s formation was not without the militants’ consent. If a further split within the amalgam happens, the development will be bad news for New Delhi.

That’s a different issue. For now, the damage has already been done — a community has been rendered homeless after the armed insurgency became ruthless.

Had New Delhi shown a sense of maturity towards the growing drift, both in the political and administrative set-ups in the critical years between 1984 and 1989, Kashmir could have been saved from slipping into the present situation. But New Delhi remained unperturbed. 

There also existed a mindset in the political and the administrative systems, that was perverted and negative. All of this has led to the present situation where Kashmir has become a troublesome issue.